Indonesia: Religion minister plans to ease permit system for houses of worship

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In a positive move for religious minorities in Indonesia, the country’s Minister of Religion has announced a plan to ease the burdensome permit regulations for houses of worship by allowing approval with only one recommendation, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. 

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said in a statement that Indonesia’s requirements of multiple recommendations have made it difficult for congregations to build houses of worship, ICC reports. Qoumas reportedly hopes that the plan will be an illustration of moderation and tolerance and that it will therefore ease opposition against minority faith groups by the majority. 

“This is not about superiority but rather shows that a person does not understand the teachings of his religion properly. The more someone understands religion, the more tolerant he is,” Qoumas said.

As the law currently stands, congregations must get approval from both the Ministry of Religion and the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) to build a house of worship, ICC reports.

“Pray that with the new regulations, Christians can worship without any disturbance,” ICC requested in its report.

Muslim majority Indonesia ranks 33rd on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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